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5 thoughts on “The Fireplace Delusion”

Not sure why the OP has a problem with Sam Harris… I think he is one of the most brilliant intellectuals alive. We just got our chimney cleaned and split 10 cord of wood from our sadly departed oak, only to find Harris' post. Curse you Sam Harris for being so right all the time!

I think Harris is often seen as the most strident of the new atheists – he states his case in he harshest terms. Even if he's brilliant and correct, it can be tough stuff. The thing I hung up on with him was his point that we wouldn't respect a person in any discipline who made ridiculous claims, so why should we respect the religious thinker for doing so? He basically advocates that we not respect religious thinkers. Well, I'm an atheist, but I can't go there. Many of the people I respect the most in this world are religious. I'm not sure how to reconcile the problem, but I sure now that advocating disrespect isn't going to get us anywhere.

He appears to lack compassion and his written "voice" reeks of ego and unscientific certainty. A person need not be a theist to see the value of those struggling. I just don't get that in his writings.

I think I've heard him try to draw the distinction between not respecting people vs. not respecting ideas. Of course, a lot of people feel disrespected when their ideas are questioned… But, I don't think we'll make much progress until all ideas are fair game for criticism and the best win.

Yes, that is the critical distinction – between people and their ideas, and I'm glad he made it. And you're right – all ideas must be fair game and equally open for critique. Don't get me wrong – I'm a fan of his ideas. But I also understand why he gets pegged as an a-hole.